Rolls-Royce announced the appointment of Dennis J. Jarvi as President, Defense North America. He will join the company on July 12 and will lead the company's defense business in North America, succeeding Steve Dwyer, who was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Rolls-Royce Corporation earlier this year.
Mr. Jarvi will report directly to James M. Guyette, President & CEO, Rolls-Royce North America Inc. and, as a member of the company's global defense executive team, receive business direction from Colin Green, President - Defense Aerospace, Rolls-Royce.
"We are delighted to have Dennis join the Rolls-Royce team," said Mr. Green. "The breadth of his industry and leadership experience will provide fresh perspective for our defense business and help position Rolls-Royce for the future," added Mr. Guyette.
Mr. Jarvi joins Rolls-Royce from Bell Helicopter Textron, where he served most recently as Vice President and General Manager, V-22 and before that, Vice President, US Government Programs. Prior to Bell, Jarvi spent five years with Detroit Diesel Corporation, culminating as Vice President & General Manager, Series 4000 Product Line. Before that, Mr. Jarvi spent 11 years with McDonnell Douglas Corporation where he served in a series of increasingly responsible program management and marketing roles. While at McDonnell Douglas, Mr. Jarvi was appointed a Congressional Fellow and worked on Capitol Hill as a staff member for the influential US House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Mr. Jarvi began his career as a pilot with the US Navy, attaining 2,000 flight hours and 450 carrier landings in A-7 Corsairs and F/A-18 Hornets. Seven years later he left active duty with the rank of Lieutenant and joined the US Naval Reserve, ultimately retiring in 1999 as Commander, NR Tactical Support Center 1173.
Mr. Jarvi has a BS from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan and an MS from Marysville University, Marysville, Tennessee.
Rolls-Royce operates in four global markets -- civil aerospace, defense aerospace, marine and energy. It is investing in technology and capability that can be exploited in each of these sectors to create a competitive range of products.